Wound-connection pads for fluid instillation and negative pressure wound therapy, and systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Connection pads for coupling fluid-instillation and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods and wound dressings for breaching a drape after coupling a wound dressing to a fluid-instillation and/or NPWT apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser No.16/123,516, filed Sep. 6, 2018, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser No. 14/498,653, filed Sep. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.10,092,454, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser No.13/009,220, filed Jan. 19, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,837, whichclaims the benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of the filing of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/296,806, filed Jan. 20, 2010, allof which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to healing of wounds andwound-treatment therapies. More particularly, but not by way oflimitation, the present invention relates to systems and methods forimproving the connection between a wound dressing and negative pressurewound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses and methods.

2. Background Information

Clinical studies and practice have shown that providing a reducedpressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates thegrowth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of thisphenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has beenparticularly successful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequentlyreferred to in the medical community as “negative pressure woundtherapy,” “reduced pressure therapy,” or “vacuum therapy”) provides anumber of benefits, including faster healing and increased formulationof granulation tissue. Typically, reduced pressure is applied to tissuethrough a wound insert (e.g., a porous pad or other manifold device).The wound insert typically contains cells or pores that are capable ofdistributing reduced pressure to the tissue and channeling fluids thatare drawn from the tissue. The wound insert can be incorporated into awound dressing having other components that facilitate treatment, suchas, for example, a drape (e.g., adhesive surgical drape). Instillationof fluids (e.g., irrigation fluids and/or medicaments) may be used inconjunction with negative pressure wound therapy to promote healingand/or improve efficacy.

While NPWT has been highly successful in the promotion of wound closure,healing many wounds previously thought largely untreatable, somedifficulty remains. One common component of an NPWT system is a deviceor structure (e.g., connection pad) that connects the vacuum (ornegative pressure) source (e.g., a vacuum pump) and/or the fluid sourceto a wound dressing or components (e.g., foam wound insert within thewound dressing).

It may be difficult to accurately characterize the pressure level at thetissue site by simply measuring the level of reduced pressure that thereduced pressure source is providing, either at the source or in theconduit lines connecting the source to the wound dressing. Fluid flowwithin the primary lumen of tubing associated with NPWT systems mayprevent pressure level measurements at the apparatus (e.g., vacuumsource) from accurately indicating the level or stability of thepressure at the wound itself.

While NPWT has been used for some time, NPWT wound dressings, and theirconnection to NPWT apparatuses can be difficult to use and timeconsuming to apply (e.g., due at least in part to the number ofconnections which must be made between wound dressings and connectionpads, and between connection pads and conduits to the NPWT apparatus).

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes embodiments of wound dressings andconnection pads.

Some embodiments of the present vacuum and/or fluid-delivery connectionpads comprise: a body having a dressing side and a connection side, thedressing side including a cavity having an upper portion and a baseportion, and a flange surrounding the base portion of the cavity, andthe connection side including: a multi-lumen vacuum and pressure-sensorconnection configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and a pressuresensor, and having a vacuum lumen terminating at an upper portion of thecavity, and a first pressure-sensor lumen extending to the base-portionof the cavity, a lateral portion of the first pressure-sensor lumenbeing open to the cavity.

In some embodiments, the body defines at least one secondpressure-sensor lumen extending to the base-portion of the cavity and influid communication with the first pressure-sensor lumen, a lateralportion of the second pressure-sensor lumen being open to the cavity. Insome embodiments, the multi-lumen vacuum and pressure-sensor connectioncomprises an annular pressure-sensor lumen disposed around the vacuumlumen, the annular pressure-sensor lumen in communication with the firstand/or second pressure-sensor lumen(s).

Some embodiments further comprise a single-lumen fluid-deliveryconnection configured to be coupled to a fluid source and having afluid-delivery lumen extending into the cavity. In some embodiments, thefluid-delivery lumen extends to a fluid-delivery ring disposed around atleast a portion of the cavity and configured to permit fluid to bedelivered around the cavity. In some embodiments, at least a portion ofthe surface defining the cavity includes a plurality of groovesextending from the upper portion of the cavity to the base portion ofthe cavity.

In some embodiments, a lower edge of the flange comprises a plurality ofradial guide channels extending radially outward from the base portionof the cavity and terminating within the flange. In some embodiments,the radial guide channels are each serrated perpendicular to the radialdirection. In some embodiments, the lower edge of the flange comprises aplurality of arcuate collection channels concentric with the cavity,each arcuate collection channel extending around a portion of thecavity. In some embodiments, the arcuate collection channels include aplurality of arcuate perimeter collection channels and a plurality ofarcuate intermediate collection channels that are disposed between thearcuate perimeter collection channels and the cavity. In someembodiments, the plurality of radial guide channels extend outward fromthe base portion of the cavity and each terminate at one of the arcuateperimeter collection channels. In some embodiments, each of the radialguide channels is serrated perpendicular to the radial direction andcomprises serrations with different depths. In some embodiments, eachradial guide channel comprises a central serration having a depth and aplurality of peripheral serrations adjacent the central serration, eachperipheral serration having a depth that is less than the depth of thecentral serration.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface defining thecavity defines a shelf substantially parallel to the flange adjacent thebase portion of the cavity. In some embodiments, the pressure-sensorlumen(s) are not in fluid communication with the fluid-delivery lumenthrough the body.

Some embodiments of the present vacuum and fluid-delivery connectionpads comprise: a body having a dressing side and a connection side, thedressing side including a cavity having an upper portion and a baseportion, and a flange surrounding the base portion of the cavity, andthe connection side including: a single-lumen fluid-delivery connectionconfigured to be coupled to a fluid source and having a fluid-deliverylumen extending into the cavity, and a multi-lumen vacuum andpressure-sensor connection configured to be coupled to a vacuum sourceand a pressure sensor, and having a vacuum lumen terminating at an upperportion of the cavity, and a first pressure-sensor lumen extending intothe cavity, a lateral portion of the first pressure-sensor lumen open tothe cavity. In some embodiments, the body defines at least one secondpressure-sensor lumen extending into the cavity and in fluidcommunication with the first pressure-sensor lumen, a lateral portion ofthe second pressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity. In someembodiments, the multi-lumen vacuum and pressure-sensor connectioncomprises an annular pressure-sensor lumen disposed around the vacuumlumen, the annular pressure-sensor lumen in communication with the firstand second pressure-sensor lumens.

Some embodiments further comprise: a ring of adhesive coupled to theflange. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises a hydrogel. In someembodiments, the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Insome embodiments, the flange comprises a lower side configured to face awound dressing if the pad is coupled to a wound dressing, and where theadhesive is coupled to the lower side of the flange. In someembodiments, the flange is configured to be coupled to a drape by atleast one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, oradhesive. In some embodiments, the flange is coupled to a drape of awound dressing. In some embodiments, the flange is coupled to the drapeby at least one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, oradhesive.

Some embodiments of the present vacuum connection pads comprise: a bodyhaving a dressing side and a connection side, the dressing sideincluding a cavity having an upper portion and a base portion, and aflange surrounding the base portion of the cavity, and the connectionside including: a single-lumen vacuum connection configured to becoupled to a vacuum source and having a vacuum lumen in communicationwith the cavity, a pressure-sensor connection configured to be coupledto a pressure sensor, and having a first pressure-sensor lumen extendinginto the cavity, a lateral portion of the first pressure-sensor lumenopen to the cavity. In some embodiments, the body defines at least onesecond pressure-sensor lumen extending into the cavity and in fluidcommunication with the first pressure-sensor lumen, a lateral portion ofthe second pressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity. In someembodiments, the body has a multi-lumen connection including the vacuumconnection and the pressure-sensor connection, and where thepressure-sensor connection comprises an annular pressure-sensor lumendisposed around the vacuum lumen, the annular pressure-sensor lumen incommunication with the first and second pressure-sensor lumens.

Some embodiments of the present fluid-delivery connection pads comprise:a body having a dressing side and a connection side, the dressing sideincluding a surface defining a cavity having an upper portion and a baseportion, and a flange surrounding the base portion of the cavity, theconnection side including a fluid-delivery connection having afluid-delivery lumen in fluid communication with an upper portion of thecavity and configured to be coupled to a fluid source. In someembodiments, the surface defining the cavity includes a plurality ofgrooves extending from the upper portion of the cavity to the baseportion of the cavity. In some embodiments, the grooves intersect alower peripheral edge of the base portion such that the lower peripheraledge has a saw-toothed configuration. In some embodiments, the flangehas a substantially smooth and substantially planar lower surface. Insome embodiments, a lower edge of the flange comprises a plurality ofradial guide channels extending radially outward from the base portionof the cavity and terminating within the outer perimeter of the flange.In some embodiments, the radial guide channels are each serrated. Insome embodiments, the lower edge of the flange comprises a plurality ofarcuate collection channels concentric with the cavity, each arcuatecollection channel extending around a portion of the cavity. In someembodiments, the arcuate collection channels include a plurality ofarcuate perimeter collection channels and a plurality of arcuateintermediate collection channels that are disposed between the arcuateperimeter collection channels and the cavity. In some embodiments, theplurality of radial guide channels extend outward from the base portionof the cavity and each terminate at one of the arcuate perimetercollection channels. In some embodiments, the plurality of radialgrooves are spaced around the flange at equiangular intervals. In someembodiments, each of the radial guide channels is serrated and comprisesserrations with different depths. In some embodiments, each radial guidechannel comprises a central serration having a depth and a plurality ofperipheral serrations adjacent the central serration, each peripheralserration having a depth that is less than the depth of the centralserration. In some embodiments, the fluid-delivery lumen extendslaterally into the cavity between the upper portion and base. In someembodiments, the fluid-delivery lumen has an open end facing a side ofthe cavity. In some embodiments, a lateral portion of the fluid-deliverylumen opens downward toward the base portion of the cavity. In someembodiments, the end of the fluid-delivery lumen is closed such that thefluid-delivery lumen is only in fluid communication with the cavitythrough the downward opening from the fluid-delivery lumen.

Some embodiments further comprise: a ring of adhesive coupled to theflange. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises a hydrogel. In someembodiments, the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Insome embodiments, the flange comprises a lower side configured to face awound dressing if the pad is coupled to a wound dressing, and where theadhesive is coupled to the lower side of the flange. In someembodiments, the flange is configured to be coupled to a drape by atleast one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, oradhesive. In some embodiments, the flange is coupled to a drape of awound dressing. In some embodiments, the flange is coupled to the drapeby at least one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, oradhesive.

Some embodiments of the present fluid-delivery connection pads comprise:a body having a dressing side and a connection side, the dressing sideincluding a cavity having an upper portion and a base portion, a flangesurrounding the base portion of the cavity, and a fluid-delivery ringdisposed around at least a portion of the cavity and configured topermit fluid to be delivered around the cavity, and the connection sideincluding: a single-lumen fluid-delivery connection configured to becoupled to a fluid source and having a fluid-delivery lumen incommunication with the fluid-delivery ring, and a pressure-sensorconnection configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and a pressuresensor, and having a first pressure-sensor lumen extending into thecavity, a lateral portion of the first pressure-sensor lumen open to thecavity.

In some embodiments, the body defines at least one secondpressure-sensor lumen having a lower end extending into the cavity andin fluid communication with the first pres sure-sensor lumen, a lateralportion of the second pressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity. In someembodiments, the body has a multi-lumen connection including thefluid-delivery connection and the pressure-sensor connection, and wherethe pressure-sensor connection comprises an annular pressure-sensorlumen disposed around the fluid-delivery lumen, the annularpressure-sensor lumen in communication with the first and secondpressure-sensor lumens.

Some embodiments of the present fluid-delivery connection pads comprise:a body having a dressing side and a connection side, the dressing sideincluding a surface defining a cavity having an upper portion and a baseportion, and a flange surrounding the base portion of the cavity, theconnection side including: a fluid-delivery connection having afluid-delivery lumen in fluid communication with an upper portion of thecavity and configured to be coupled to a fluid source, and a firstpressure-sensor lumen extending into the cavity and configured to becoupled to a pressure sensor, a lateral portion of the firstpressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity; where the surface defining thecavity includes an open channel at the upper portion of the cavity, theopen channel coupled to the fluid-delivery lumen. In some embodiments,the body defines at least one second pressure-sensor lumen extendinginto the cavity and in fluid communication with the firstpressure-sensor lumen, a lateral portion of the second pressure-sensorlumen open to the cavity. In some embodiments, the body has amulti-lumen connection including the fluid-delivery connection and thepressure-sensor connection, and where the pressure-sensor connectioncomprises an annular pressure-sensor lumen disposed around thefluid-delivery lumen, the annular pressure-sensor lumen in communicationwith the first and second pressure-sensor lumens. In some embodiments, afirst portion of the surface on a first side of the open channelincludes a plurality of plurality of grooves extending from the openchannel to the base portion of the cavity. In some embodiments, a secondportion of the surface on a second side of the open channel defines ashelf substantially parallel to the flange adjacent the base portion ofthe cavity. In some embodiments, the pressure-sensor lumens are not influid communication with the fluid-delivery lumen through the body. Insome embodiments, the body defines a lower end of each of the first andsecond pressure-sensor lumens substantially even with the shelf, andwhere the body further defines one or more notches at the lower end ofeach of the first and second pressure-sensor lumens extending between alateral portion of the pressure-sensor lumen and the cavity. In someembodiments, the first and second pressure-sensor lumens extend into thecavity at an angle substantially perpendicular to the open channel.

Some embodiments further comprise: a ring of adhesive coupled to theflange. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises a hydrogel. In someembodiments, the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Insome embodiments, the flange comprises a lower side configured to face awound dressing if the pad is coupled to a wound dressing, and where theadhesive is coupled to the lower side of the flange. In someembodiments, the flange is configured to be coupled to a drape by atleast one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, oradhesive. In some embodiments, the flange is coupled to a drape of awound dressing. In some embodiments, the flange is coupled to the drapeby at least one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, oradhesive.

Some embodiments of the present methods of coupling a wound dressing toa patient, comprise: disposing a wound insert adjacent to a wound of apatient; coupling a drape to skin of the patient adjacent the wound suchthat the drape covers the wound insert and the wound, and defines aspace between the wound and the drape; coupling a connection pad to thedrape, the connection pad configured to be coupled to a fluid sourcesuch that the fluid source can be activated to deliver fluid to theconnection pad; and breaching the drape, after coupling the connectionpad to the drape, to enable fluid communication between the space andthe connection pad. In some embodiments, breaching the drape comprisesdelivering through the fluid delivery pad a solvent to the drape, thesolvent configured to dissolve a portion of the drape to permit fluidcommunication between the space and the connection pad. Some embodimentsfurther comprise: disposing a container of a first solvent between thefluid delivery connection pad and the drape, the first solventconfigured to dissolve a portion of the drape, the container configuredto dissolve in the presence of a second solvent. In some embodiments,breaching the drape comprises delivering the second solvent to thecontainer through the connection pad such that the container dissolvesto release the first solvent, and the first solvent dissolves a portionof the drape.

Any embodiment of any of the present systems and/or methods can consistof or consist essentially of—rather thancomprise/include/contain/have—any of the described steps, elements,and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or“consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-endedlinking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a givenclaim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.

Details associated with the embodiments described above and others arepresented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation.For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structureis not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears.Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identicalstructure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate asimilar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as maynon-identical reference numbers.

FIG. 1 depicts a partially schematic, perspective view of the generalarrangements of the components of a negative pressure wound treatment(NPWT) system including one embodiment of the present connection pads.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a drape for use with the present wounddressings and connection pads.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present connectionpads.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of the connection pad of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom perspective view of a portion of the connectionpad of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts a bottom perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofthe connection in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7A depicts an upper perspective view of one embodiment of thepresent connection pads.

FIG. 7B depicts an upper perspective view of an alternate configurationfor the connection pad of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A depicts a lower perspective view of the connection pad of FIG.7A.

FIG. 8B depicts a lower perspective view of an alternative configurationfor the connection pad of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentconnection pads.

FIG. 10 depicts a lower perspective view of the connection pad of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 depicts an upper perspective view of another embodiment of thepresent connection pads.

FIG. 12A depicts a lower perspective view of the connection pad of FIG.11.

FIG. 12B depicts alternate configurations for certain features of theconnection pad of FIGS. 11 and 12A.

FIG. 12C depicts a lower perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofthe connection pad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of one of the presentconnection pads coupled to an embodiment of the present wound dressings.

FIG. 14 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of one of the presentconnection pads coupled to another embodiment of the present wounddressings, before a drape of the wound dressing is breached.

FIG. 15 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the connection padcoupled to the present wound dressing of FIG. 14, after the drape of thewound dressing has been breached.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarilydirectly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled”may be integral with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined asone or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. Theterms “substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” are defined aslargely but not necessarily wholly what is specified, as understood by aperson of ordinary skill in the art.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a methodthat “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more stepspossesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing onlythose one or more steps. Likewise, a connection pad that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those oneor more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those elements.For example, in a connection pad that comprises a fluid-deliveryconnection and a pressure-sensor connection, the connection pad includesthe specified elements but is not limited to having only those elements.For example, such a connection pad could also include a vacuumconnection.

Further, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way isconfigured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in otherways than those specifically described.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, oneexample of a negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT) system 10 is shownthat can incorporate and/or comprise embodiments of the presentconnection pads. In the embodiment shown, system 10 comprises wounddressing 12, conduit 14, and vacuum apparatus 16 coupled to conduit 14and thereby to wound dressing 12. In the embodiment shown, wounddressing 12 comprises a foam wound insert 24 (e.g., distributionmanifold 24), and a drape 26. Drape 26 is configured to be coupled toskin of a patient adjacent the wound such that drape 26 covers woundinsert 24 and the wound, and forms a space between a wound surface ofthe wound and drape 26. Wound insert 24 can comprise any suitable foam,such as, for example, an open-celled foam (which may also bereticulated), and/or the like. Wound dressing 12 can comprise and/or canbe coupled to conduit 14 by a connection pad 22, as shown. Connectionpad 22 is typically coupled to drape 26 by an adhesive or the like. Forexample, in some embodiments, drape 26 has a hole or aperture throughits center such that drape 26 fits around connection pad 22 (e.g.,around a flange of connection pad 22), such that a lower adhesive sideof drape 26 can adhere to connection pad 22 and the skin of the patientadjacent to the wound. In other embodiments, drape 26 is provided with ahole in its center (e.g., before or after drape 26 is coupled to theskin of the patient to cover the wound and wound insert 24), and asecondary drape is coupled over a portion of connection pad 22 (e.g., aflange of connection pad 22) to couple the connection pad to drape 26.

In the embodiment shown, conduit 14 comprises a multi-lumen tubeincluding one or more tubing sections 28 which, as an assembledstructure, provide a continuous conduit between connection pad 22 and acontainer connector 34 positioned on a fluid container 18. As generallyknown in the art, liquid and other exudates drawn by NPWT system 10 areremoved from conduit 14 at container connector 34, and deposited in andretained within container 18. In the embodiment shown, instrumentationtubes 36 a and 36 b extend from container connector 34 toinstrumentation components 20. In the embodiment shown, instrumentationcomponents 20 comprise a vacuum source 38 and pressure monitoringinstrument components 40 a and 40 b (e.g., pressure sensors formeasuring pressure), which are described in more detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/722,802. Each of the instrument components 20 isindividually associated with one of three isolated conduits (tubes orlumens) that extend from reduced pressure adapter 22 into vacuumapparatus 16.

In the embodiment shown, system 10 further comprises a fluid source 50coupled to wound dressing 12 by a conduit 54 and a tee-fitting 58. Inthe embodiment shown, vacuum apparatus 16 and fluid source 50 are shownseparately; however, in some embodiments, fluid source 50 and vacuumapparatus 16 may be commonly housed. In some embodiments, fitting 58 canprovide communication between a multi-lumen conduit 54 and multi-lumenconduit 28. However, in other embodiments, fitting 58 is configured toenable fluid communication between the primary lumen of conduit 28 and asingle lumen of conduit 54, while permitting communication between theperipheral lumens of conduit 28 on both sides of fitting 58. In someembodiments, fitting 58 comprises a switch valve or the like such thatcommunication can be selectively permitted between wound dressing 12 andfluid source 50, and between wound dressing 12 and vacuum apparatus 16.In other embodiments, fluid source 50 is separately coupled to woundinsert 12, such as, for example, by way of a separate lumen inconnection pad 22, or by way of a separate connection pad 22. In theembodiments in which fluid source 50 is separately coupled to woundinsert 12, tee fitting 58 may be omitted.

In various embodiments of wound insert 12 (e.g., where wound insert 12is large or elongated such as for a large wound), multiple connectionpads 22 may be used or employed with (e.g., coupled to) a single wounddressing 12. For example, in some such embodiments, a first connectionpad 22 can be coupled to fluid source 50, and a second connection pad 22can be coupled to vacuum apparatus 16, such that fluid can introduced tothe wound insert through the first connection pad, and vacuum ornegative pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure) can be applied tothe wound insert via the connection pad that is coupled to vacuumapparatus 16 (e.g., such that fluid can travel through a larger portionof wound insert 24 and/or to contact a greater portion of the woundbefore being extracted through the second connection pad).

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example of a drape 26 is shown. In theembodiment shown, drape 26 comprises a film 44 (e.g., a polyurethanefilm) coated one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., apressure-sensitive acrylic resin adhesives), and having a hole 48extending through film 44. Hole 48 is typically sized to correspond toone or more corresponding openings in a lower side of connection pad 22and may be cut or otherwise formed after a drape is coupled to (e.g.,adhered to) a patient. Drape 26 (e.g., film 44) can be sized such thatdrape 26 is sufficiently large to extend beyond the borders of a woundto which wound dressing 12 is applied and such that the adhesive ofdrape 26 contacts and adheres to a sufficient portion of the patient'sskin adjacent to the wound to provide a substantially sealed environmentbetween drape 26 and the wound. In other embodiments, drape 26 cancomprise two parts or pieces. For example, drape 26 of FIG. 2 can be cutor have a border along line 52 and the two pieces can be sealed withsurgical tape and/or the like placed over line 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, enlarged views are shown of first embodiment22 a of the present connection pads. In the embodiment shown, connectionpad 22 a comprises a body 100 having a dressing side 104 and aconnection side 108. Dressing side 104 includes a surface 112 defining acavity 116 (e.g., a domed cavity) having an upper portion 120 and a baseportion 124. In the embodiment shown, connection pad 22 a also includesa flange 128 (e.g., a substantially planar flange) surrounding baseportion 124 of cavity 116. In the embodiment shown, connection side 108includes a lumen 132 (e.g., a fluid-delivery and/or vacuum lumen 132) influid communication with an upper portion 120 of cavity 116, andconfigured to be coupled to a fluid source (e.g., fluid source 50, suchas, for example, by way of conduit 54) and/or a vacuum source. Moreparticularly, lumen 132 is in fluid communication with upper portion 120of cavity 116 by way of primary port 136 and open channel 140 disclosedadjacent top portion 120 of cavity 116, as shown. In the embodimentshown, connection side 108 further includes an annular pressure-sensorlumen 144 in communication with cavity 116 and configured to be coupledto the one or more pressure sensors of vacuum apparatus 16 (e.g., tubes36 and pressure monitoring instrument components 40 a and 40 b).Particularly, in the embodiment shown, annular pressure-sensor lumen 144is in communication with cavity 116 by way of ancillary lumen interfaces148, 152 which are in communication with pressure-sensor lumens 156 and160, respectively, and thereby in communication with cavity 116. Inother embodiments, body 100 may not include annular pressure-sensorlumen 144 (e.g., first pressure-sensor lumen 156 can extend to theconnection side to be coupled to a pressure sensor). Further, in otherembodiments, second pressure-sensor lumen 160 may be omitted. In theembodiment shown, annular pressure-sensor lumen 144 is disposed aroundlumen 132 (e.g., such that annular pressure-sensor lumen 144 isconcentric with lumen 132). In the embodiment shown, surface 112defining cavity 116 includes open channel 140 extending into upperportion 120 of cavity 116, and open channel 140 is coupled to and incommunication with lumen 132 via port 136. More particularly, in theembodiment shown, open channel 140 is disposed at the apex of cavity116.

In the embodiment shown, a first portion 164 of surface 112 on a firstside of open channel 140, as shown, includes a plurality of grooves 168extending from open channel 140 to base portion 124 of cavity 116.Grooves 168 are configured to direct fluid from and/or to open channel140, port 136, and fluid lumen 132. In the embodiment shown, a secondportion 172 on a second side of open channel 140 defines a shelf 172that is substantially parallel to (and/or co-planar with) planar flange128. As shown, shelf 172 also comprises a plurality of serrations orgrooves 176. Grooves 176 are also configured to direct fluid to or fromopen channel 140, and/or away from lumens 156 and 160, such that asfluid is delivered and/or removed from cavity 116 and/or wound dressing12, fluid is generally directed past lumens 156 and 160 such that lumens156 and 160 remain substantially unobstructed to permit vacuum apparatus16 to sense the pressure or negative pressure within cavity 116 and/orwound dressing 12.

In the embodiment shown, fluid lumen 132 is not in fluid communicationwith lumens 156, 160 through body 100. In particular, although lumens156, 160 may be permitted to communicate fluidly with lumen 132 (e.g.,port 136) within and through cavity 116, within the solid portion ofbody 100 lumens 156, 160 are separate and distinct from fluid lumen 132and port 136. In this way, vacuum apparatus 16 is permitted to sensepressure or negative pressure within open cavity 116 and/or wounddressing 12 separately from (e.g., not entirely dependent on) fluidand/or negative pressure in lumen 132. Additionally, in the embodimentshown, a lateral portion of each pressure-sensor lumen 156, 160 is openinto cavity 116. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, body 100defines notches 180 and 182 extending from a lateral portion of lumen156 into cavity 116, and body 100 defines notches 184 and 186 extendingfrom a lateral portion of lumen 160 into cavity 116. Notches 180, 182,184, and 186 are configured to improve communication between lumens 156,160 and cavity 116, so as to improve the ability of vacuum apparatus 16to sense and/or monitor pressure or negative pressure at the wound(e.g., in cavity 116 and/or in wound dressing 12), especially, forexample, where opening 48 in drape 26 is small, roughly cut, not fullymade, off center, and/or is otherwise not optimally formed such thatdrape 26 would otherwise interfere and/or partially block the lumens156, 160.

In the embodiment shown, body 100 also defines a lower end of eachpressure-sensor lumen 156 and 160 that is substantially even with shelf172. In the embodiment shown, at the lower end of each lumen 156 and160, each lumen 156 and 160 extends into cavity 116 at an angle that issubstantially perpendicular to open channel 140 (e.g., a longitudinalaxis of open channel 140. In some embodiments, the lower end of eachpressure-sensor lumen 156, 160 is offset from flange 128 (e.g., stops adistance short of the lower surface of the flange 128), such as, forexample, by a distance of equal to, greater than, less than, or betweenany of, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 mm). In theembodiments where the lower end of each lumen 156, 160 is even with thelower surface of flange 128, body 100 is configured such that the lowerend of each lumen 156, 160 is adjacent to and/or abuts wound insert 24when connection pad 22 a is coupled to wound dressing 12 (e.g., woundinsert 24). In this way, body 100 is configured such that fluid beingdelivered to and/or drawn into cavity 116 is largely directed pastlumens 156, 160 such that the fluid does not interfere with the pressuresensing functionality of the lumens 156 and 160, and notches 180, 182,184, 186 still permit lumens 156, 160 to communicate with cavity 116and/or wound dressing 12 to sense pressure or negative pressure withincavity 116 and/or wound dressing 12.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3 but omitted from FIGS. 4 and 5, someembodiments of connection pads 22 a further comprise a ring of adhesive190 (shown in partial cross-section) coupled to flange 128 of body 100.In particular, in the embodiment shown, flange portion 128 of body 100comprises a lower side 194 configured to face wound dressing 12 ifconnection pad 22 a is coupled to wound dressing 12. Adhesive ring 190can comprise any suitable adhesive, such as, for example, an adhesivecomprising hydrogel, hydrocolloids, a pressure-sensitive adhesive,and/or any other suitable adhesive. In this embodiment, adhesive ring190 is configured such that if connection pad 22 a is coupled to wounddressing 12 can adhere to wound insert 24. In other embodiments,adhesive ring 190 (or a second adhesive ring) can be coupled to an upperside of flange portion 128 (e.g., a side opposite lower side 194) toadhere to a drape 26 placed over the wound insert 24. In someembodiments, the adhesive can be removable and/or re-appliable such thateven after initially adhering to a portion of dressing, the position ofconnection pad 22 a relative to wound dressing 12 can be adjusted asneeded or desired. In other embodiments, connection pad 22 a can bepermanently coupled (e.g., during manufacture) to drape 26 prior toreceipt by a user (e.g., doctor, nurse, etc.) by any suitable means,such as, for example, radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding,and/or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment 22 b is shown that issubstantially similar to connection pad 22 a, with the primary exceptionthat connection pad 22 b (e.g., in addition to port 136 and open channel140) comprises a fluid-delivery lumen 232 and fluid-delivery ring 234disposed around cavity 216 (e.g., around the perimeter of base portion224 and/or cavity 216), where fluid-delivery lumen 232 is incommunication with fluid-delivery ring 234. In this embodiment, fluiddelivery ring 234 is configured to permit fluid to be delivered aroundcavity 216 (e.g., such that a fluid can be delivered from fluid source50 via fluid lumen 232) and will disperse through at least a portion of(e.g., up to all of) fluid delivery ring 234 such that the fluid will bedispersed around wound insert 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-8B, shown there is another embodiment of aconnection pad 22 c. FIGS. 7A and 8A depict upper and lower perspectiveviews of connection pad 22 c. As described in more detail below, FIGS.7B and 8B depict alternate configurations for various features ofconnection pad 22 c. Connection pad 22 c is similar in some respects toconnection pads 22 a and 22 b, as described in more detail here. In theembodiment shown, connection pad 22 c comprises a body 300 and adressing side 304 and a connection side 308. Dressing side 304 includesa surface 312 defining a cavity 316 (e.g., a domed cavity) having anupper portion 320 and a base portion 324. In the embodiment shown, body300 also includes a flange 328 (e.g., a substantially planar flange)surrounding base portion 324 of cavity 316. In the embodiment shown,connection side 308 includes a single-lumen fluid delivery connection332 configured to be coupled to a fluid source (e.g., fluid source 50),and having a lumen 334 extending into cavity 316. In the embodimentshown, connection side 308 also includes a multi-lumen vacuum andpressure-sensor connection 336 configured to be coupled in vacuumapparatus 16). Connection 336 has a vacuum lumen 340 terminating atupper portion 320 of cavity 316, and an annular pressure-sensor lumen344 disposed around vacuum lumen 340. In a manner similar to thatdescribed above for lumens 156, 160 and lumen 132 for connection pad 22a, annular pressure-sensor lumen 344 is not in fluid communication withvacuum lumen 340 through body 300.

FIG. 7B depicts an alternate configuration 22 c-1 for connection pad 22c. In particular, connection 332 includes a larger lumen 334 a (and/orbody 300 is configured such that the sidewall that defines lumen 334 ais thinner than in connection pad 22 c); connection 336 includes alarger lumen 344 a (and/or body 300 is formed such that the sidewallthat defines lumen 344 a is smaller than in connection pad 22 c);connection 336 is configured such that lumen 340 a terminates withinlumen 344 a (e.g., such that the end of lumen 340 a terminates insideof, or short of, the end of lumen 344 a , as shown); and body 300 aincludes a plurality of cutouts 346 between lumen 334 a and lumen 344 a(e.g., to improve ease of manufacture, such as by injection or othermolding or casting).

In the embodiment shown, body 300 defines two pressure-sensor lumens348, 350 each having a lower end, as shown, extending into cavity 316,and each in fluid communication with annular pressure-sensor lumen 344.Additionally, in the embodiment shown, a lateral portion of eachpressure-sensor lumen 348, 350 is open to cavity 316. More particularly,in the embodiment shown, body 300 defines notches 352, 354, extendingbetween lateral portions of lumens 348 and 350, respectively. In theembodiment shown, notches 352, 354 are substantially rectangular. Inother configurations, notches 352, 354 can have any suitable shape(e.g., angled, arcuate notches 352 a, 354 a , as shown in FIG. 8B). Asdescribed above for notches 180, 182, 184, and 186 of connection pad 22a, notches 352, 354 are configured to improve communication betweenlumens 348, 350 and cavity 316, so as to improve the ability of vacuumapparatus 16 to sense and/or monitor pressure or negative pressure atthe wound (e.g., in cavity 316 and/or in wound dressing 12), especially,for example, where opening 48 in drape 26 is small, roughly cut, notfully made, off center, and/or is otherwise not optimally formed suchthat drape 26 might otherwise (in the absence of notches 352, 354)interfere and/or partially block the lumens 348 and 350. In otherembodiments, body 300 may define more than two pressure centered lumens,and/or notches 352, 354 may be provided with any suitable shape (e.g.,such as square or rectangular notches 180, 182 of connection pad 22 a).In other embodiments, body 300 may define circumferential castellationsaround the bottom end of lumens 348 and 350.

In the embodiment shown, connection pad 22 c is configured as a vacuumand fluid delivery connection pad with relatively simple connections toa fluid source and a vacuum apparatus, such that fluid may be delivered,negative pressure may be applied, and/or pressure or negative pressuremay be sensed by way of the same connection pad 22 c. In the embodimentshown, the lower end of fluid-delivery lumen 334 is configured to have asubstantially square end (e.g., does not have a lateral portion open tocavity 316). In this way, the lower end of fluid-delivery lumen 334 isconfigured to substantially abut wound insert 24 if connection pad 22 cis coupled to wound insert 12, such that if fluid is delivered throughfluid-delivery lumen 334, such fluid is delivered primarily directlyinto wound insert 24 rather than into cavity 316. In this way, fluiddelivered by way of fluid-delivery lumen 334 is dispersed into woundinsert 24 such that the fluid or at least some portion of the fluid willreach the wound (e.g., a surface of the wound) to irrigate or delivermedication to the wound, and will be subsequently drawn back throughwound insert 24 and guided through cavity 316 to vacuum lumen 344.

Similarly to connection pad 22 a, body 300 (e.g., surface 312) ofconnection pad 22 c defines a plurality of grooves 356 extendingradially outward from the apex of cavity 316 to base portion 324 ofcavity 316. In this embodiment, grooves 356 are configured to guidefluid entering cavity 316 past fluid-delivery lumen 334 andpressure-sensor lumens 348 and 350 to vacuum lumen 344. In this way,grooves 356 assist in preventing and/or reducing fluid and/or exudatesfrom interfering with or blocking pressure-sensor lumens 348, 350 and/orfluid-delivery lumen 334. Body 300 does not include a shelf (such asshelf 172 of connection pad 22 a); however, in other embodiments, body300 may include a shelf.

In the embodiment shown, a lower side 360 of flange portion 328 includesa plurality of features configured to guide fluids from radially outerportions of flange 320 into cavity 316 (e.g., such as when vacuum isapplied through vacuum lumen 344). For example, in the embodiment shownlower side 360 includes a plurality of radial grooves, and two circularpaths of arcuate grooves, each path including a plurality of arcuategrooves concentric with the cavity (e.g., a plurality of distinctarcuate grooves each lying on one of two circular paths disposedconcentrically around the cavity). More particularly, in the embodimentshown, lower side 360 of flange 328 includes a plurality of radialserrated guide channels 364, a plurality of arcuate perimeter collectionchannels 368, and a plurality of arcuate intermediate collectionchannels 372. In the embodiment shown, each serrated guide channel 364extends radially outward from cavity 316 to a corresponding arcuateperimeter collection channels 368 at a point internal to the outerperimeter of flange portion 328. In the embodiment shown, each serratedguide channel 364 is deepest at its center and is shallower at itslateral edges. More particularly, each serrated guide channel 364comprises a central groove or serration having a depth, and a pluralityof peripheral grooves or serrations adjacent the central groove orserration, and each peripheral groove or serration has a depth that isless than the depth of the central groove (e.g., having depths that aresequentially less as the distance between the peripheral groove and thecentral groove increases).

In the embodiment shown, each arcuate perimeter collection channel 368extends from a distal (relative to cavity 316) end of a correspondingserrated guide channel 364 in a clockwise direction from thecorresponding serrated guide channel 368, and terminates before reachingthe next adjacent serrated guide channel 364, as shown. In theembodiment shown, arcuate perimeter collection channels 368 areconcentric with cavity 316. Each arcuate intermediate collection channel372 extends from the center of a corresponding serrated guide channel368 in a counterclockwise direction from the corresponding serratedguide channel 368, and terminates before reaching the next adjacentserrated guide channel 368, as shown. In the embodiment shown, arcuateintermediate collection channels 372 are concentric with cavity 316, andconcentric with arcuate perimeter collection channels 368. Serratedguide channels 364, arcuate intermediate collection channels 372, andarcuate perimeter collection channels 368 are configured to cooperate toguide fluid from the periphery of flange 328 to cavity 316 in the mannerindicated by arrows 376 and 378. In other embodiments, arcuate perimetercollection channels 368 and/or arcuate intermediate collection channels372 can be provided in any suitable number and/or direction.

In the embodiment shown, connection pad 22 c is configured such that thelower side of flange portion 328 is configured to face wound dressing 12(e.g., wound insert 24) if connection pad 22 c is coupled to wounddressing 12. In some embodiments, connection pad 22 c comprises and/oris provided with a ring of adhesive (not shown) such as described abovefor connection pad 22 a (e.g., coupled to an upper side of flangeportion 328 and/or coupled to a peripheral portion of the lower side offlange portion 328).

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment 22 d is shown of oneof the present connection pads. Connection pad 22 d is similar in somerespect to connection pads 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c, as described here. Inthe embodiment shown, connection pad 22 d comprises a body 400 having adressing side 404 and a connection side 408. Dressing side 404 includesa surface 412 defining a cavity 416 (e.g., a domed cavity) having anupper portion 420 and a base portion 424. In the embodiment shown, body400 also includes a flange 428 (e.g., a substantially planar flange)surrounding base portion 424 of cavity 416. Connection side 408 includesa fluid delivery connection 432 having a fluid-delivery lumen 436 influid communication with upper portion 420 of cavity 416, and configuredto be coupled to a fluid source (e.g., fluid source 50). Additionally,in the embodiment shown, surface 412 defining cavity 416 includes aplurality of grooves 440 extending from upper portion 420 of cavity 416to base portion 424 of cavity 416.

In the embodiment shown, cavity 416 does not include a shelf (e.g.,shelf 172 of connection pad 22 a), such that the entirety of cavity 416is domed in an arcuate circular configuration (e.g., a hemisphericalconfiguration). As such, in the embodiment shown, fluid-delivery lumen436 extends to upper portion 420 of cavity 416, and grooves 440 extendradially outward along surface 412 from fluid-delivery lumen 436 to baseportion 424 of cavity 416. In the embodiment shown, a lower surface 444of flange 428 includes serrated guide channels 448, arcuate perimetercollection channels 452, arcuate intermediate collection channels 456,which are substantially similar to serrated guide channels 364, arcuateperimeter collection channels 368, and arcuate intermediate collectionchannels 372 of connection pad 22 c, described above.

In the embodiment shown, connection pad 22 d is configured for fluiddelivery such that connection pad 22 d can be coupled to a fluid source(e.g. fluid source 50) and to wound dressing 12, such that a separateconnection pad can also be separately coupled to wound dressing 12 andto a vacuum source (e.g., vacuum apparatus 16), to separately applyvacuum to wound dressing 12. In this way, distance between fluiddelivery connection pad 22 d in a vacuum connection can be maximizedsuch that fluid delivered through connection pad 22 d is more likely totravel through wound insert 24 and to the wound surface before beingextracted through the vacuum connection pad. As such, connection pad 22d may also be characterized or described as a fluid instillationconnection pad 22 d.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12A, another embodiment 22 e of thepresent connection pads is shown. Connection pad 22 e is similar in somerespect to connection pads 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, and 22 d, as describedhere. In the embodiment shown, connection pad 22 e comprises a body 500having a dressing side 504 and a connection side 508. Dressing side 504includes a surface 512 defining a cavity 516 (e.g., a domed cavity)having an upper portion 520 and a base portion 524. In the embodimentshown, body 500 also includes a flange 528 (e.g., a substantially planarflange) surrounding base portion 524 of cavity 516. Connection side 508includes a fluid delivery connection 532 having a fluid-delivery lumen536 in fluid communication with upper portion 520 of cavity 516, andconfigured to be coupled to a fluid source (e.g., fluid source 50). Inthe embodiment shown, body 500 is configured such that deliveryconnection 532 does not extend beyond the perimeter of dome 538. In thisway, a drape (e.g., 26) can be configured to have an opening (e.g., 48)having a diameter that is substantially equal to were slightly largerthan the perimeter of dome 538 such that wound insert 24 can be placedon or in a wound of a patient, connection pad 22 e can be placed incontact with wound insert 24, and a drape with an appropriately sizedhole can be placed over connection pad 22 e (e.g., body 500) such thatdome 538 extends through the opening in the drape in the drape can beadhered to flange portion 528 with relative ease and/or relativelylittle wrinkling or modification. In certain the embodiments, any ofother connection pads 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d can be configured insimilar fashion such that the various connections on their respectiveconnection side did not extend beyond the perimeter of the domedportions on their respective upper sides (e.g., corresponding to theirrespective domed cavities).

In the embodiment shown, surface 512 defining cavity 516 includes aplurality of grooves 540 extending from upper portion 520 of cavity 516to base portion 524 of cavity 516. Additionally, in the embodimentshown, base portion 524 of cavity 516 has a lower peripheral edge 544with a saw-toothed configuration, as shown. In the embodiment of FIG.12, the saw-toothed configuration of edge 544 is formed by theintersection of a chamfer between grooves 544 and lower surface 548 offlange 528. In the configuration shown in the upper inset of FIG. 12B,the chamfer is omitted such that the saw-toothed configuration isprovided by the intersection of grooves 540 and lower surface 548 offlange 528. In the embodiment shown, lower surface 548 is substantiallysmooth and substantially planar, as shown. In this way, and asparticularly suited for fluid delivery connection pads, substantiallysmooth planar lower surface 548 can be coated with and/or coupled to anadhesive such that substantially all of lower surface 548 can be coupledto wound insert 12 (e.g. to wound insert 24) to provide adhesion betweenlower surface 548 and wound dressing 12 (e.g., wound insert 24 and/ordrape 26) to provide a connection that is durable in the presence ofliquid (e.g., resistance to degradation in the presence of liquids suchas water or the like). As also shown, fluid-delivery lumen 536 extendslaterally into cavity 516 between upper portion 520 and base portion524. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, fluid-delivery lumen 536includes an open-end 552 facing (e.g., directed toward) a side of cavity516.

In other embodiments, such as is shown in the lower inset of FIG. 12B, alateral portion of fluid-delivery lumen 536 opens downward toward baseportion 524 of cavity 516. More particularly, and the embodiment shown,body 500 defines an aperture 556 opening downward into cavity 516 towardbase portion 524. Additionally, in the embodiment shown in the lowerinset of FIG. 12B, the end 560 of fluid-delivery lumen 536 is closedsuch that fluid-delivery lumen 536 is only in fluid communication withcavity 516 through downward opening or aperture 556 from fluid-deliverylumen 536. Similarly to connection pads 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, and 22 d;connection pad 22 e can be provided with a ring of adhesive (not shown)either or both of an upper or lower side of flange 528, such that flange528 can be configured to be coupled to wound dressing 12 (e.g., to woundinsert 24). The embodiment shown, flange portion 528 of body 500 isconfigured such that lower surface or side 548 faces wound dressing 12(e.g., wound insert 24) such as where an adhesive is coupled to lowersurface 548 of flange 528.

FIG. 12C depicts another embodiment that is substantially similar to theembodiment of FIG. 12A, but in which cavity 516 does not includegrooves, and instead includes a substantially smooth interior surface556.

Referring now to FIG. 13, one of the present connection pads 22 is showncoupled to a wound dressing 12 a. For clarity, wound dressing 12 a isshown in cross-section. More particularly, in the embodiment shown,wound dressing 12 a comprises: a wound insert 24 (e.g., adjacent a woundor wound surface of a patient); a drape 26 a (e.g., coupled to skinadjacent the wound) such that drape 26 a covers the wound and woundinsert 24 and forms a space between the wound and drape 26 a.Additionally in the configuration shown, wound dressing 12 a furthercomprises a secondary drape 28 coupling connection pad 22 to drape 26.In the embodiment shown, drape 26 a is substantially similar to drape 26of FIG. 2, but includes a user-made hole 48 a. That is, when a user suchas a nurse or doctor opens drape 26 a for use (e.g., from a package),the user must cut drape 26 a to form hole 48 a. In such embodiments hole48 a may be smaller than desired, smaller than optimally effective,and/or may be jagged or irregular such that flaps of drape 26 a mayinterfere with pressure-sensor lumens of previously known connectionpads. As such, embodiments of the present connection pads (e.g. 22 a, 22c) are configured for improved functionality where such connection padsare coupled to wound dressings in a configuration such as is shown inFIG. 13. For example, and as noted above, body 100 of connection pad 22a has lateral portions of the pressure-sensor lumens 156 and 160 (e.g.,by way of notches 180, 182, 184, 186) open into or in communication withcavity 116 to enable improved pressure-sensor functionality whereconnection pad 22 a is coupled to a wound dressing in a configurationsuch as is shown in FIG. 13 (e.g., between a first drape and a seconddrape such that the connection pad is not in direct contact with thewound insert).

Some embodiments of the present wound-treatment methods comprise:coupling a wound dressing (e.g., wound dressing 12) to a patient;coupling one or more of any of the present connection pads to the woundaddressing; delivering a fluid to the wound dressing (e.g. to a woundcovered by the wound dressing); applying a vacuum to the wound dressing(e.g., to a wound covered by the wound dressing); and/or sensing apressure or negative pressure in the wound dressing (e.g., at a woundcovered by the wound dressing), such as, for example, while delivering afluid to the wound dressing and/or while applying a vacuum to the wounddressing; backspace. In any of the embodiments of the presentwound-treatment methods, coupling a wound dressing to a patient cancomprise: disposing a wound insert adjacent to a wound of a patient(e.g., on a wound surface of the wound); and/or coupling a drape to skinof the patient adjacent to the wound such that the drape covers thewound insert in the wound and forms a space between the wound and thedrape. In any of the embodiments of the present wound-treatment methods,coupling one or more of any of the present connection pads to the wounddressing can comprise coupling the connection pad to the wound insert(e.g., before or after coupling the drape to the skin of the patient);and/or coupling the drape to the connection pad (e.g., before or aftercoupling the drape to the skin of the patient). In any embodiments ofthe present wound-treatment methods, delivering a fluid to the wounddressing can comprise activating a fluid source (e.g., fluid source 50)to deliver a fluid to the wound dressing. In any of the embodiments ofthe present wound-treatment methods, applying a vacuum to the wounddressing can comprise activating a vacuum source (e.g. vacuum apparatus16) to apply a vacuum or negative pressure to the wound dressing in anyof the embodiments of the present wound-treatment methods, possessing apressure or negative pressure in the wound dressing can compriseactivating one or more pressure censors or pressure-sensor elements(e.g., pressure-sensor elements 40 a, 40 b) to sense a pressure ornegative pressure in wound dressing 12 (e.g., in the space formedbetween the wound in the drape).

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, an additional embodiment of a wounddressing 12 b is shown. In the embodiment shown, wound dressing 12 bcomprises a drape 26 b and the wound insert 24. More particularly, inthe embodiment shown, wound insert 12 b is shown in a coupledconfiguration such that wound insert 24 is adjacent a wound of a patient(e.g., is adjacent a wound surface of the wound) and drape 26 b iscoupled to skin (not shown) adjacent the wound. As shown, drape 26 b hasnot been breached (e.g., does not have a hole such as hole 48 of drape26). In this way, wound insert 24 can be placed adjacent the wound, anddrape 26 b can be coupled to skin adjacent a wound to cover the woundand the wound insert 24 such that the wound insert and the wound aresubstantially sealed by drape 26 b, as shown in FIG. 14. In theembodiment shown, connection pad 22 is coupled to drape 26 b by way ofadhesive between a lower side of the flange portion of connection pad 22and drape 26 b, and after connection pad 22 is coupled to drape 26 b anddrape 26 b is breached to create a hole 48 b, as shown in FIG. 15. Insome embodiments, wound insert 12 b can comprise a secondary drape 28(e.g., similar to secondary drape 28 of FIG. 13) to couple connectionpad 22 to wound dressing 12 b.

In accordance with the configuration depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15,embodiments of the present methods of coupling a wound dressing to apatient comprise: disposing a wound insert (e.g., wound insert 24)adjacent to a wound of a patient (e.g., adjacent to and/or in contactwith a surface of the wound); coupling a drape (e.g., drape 26 b) toskin of the patient adjacent the wound such that the drape covers thewound insert and the wound and defines a space (e.g., a space that is atleast partially and/or entirely open); coupling a connection pad (e.g.,connection pad 22, 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d, 22 e) to the drape, where thefluid delivery pad is configured to be coupled to a fluid source (e.g.,fluid source 50) such that the fluid source can deliver fluid to theconnection pad. In some embodiments the drape is configured to comprisea substantially solid sheet (e.g., a sheet without a hole such as hole48). In some embodiments of the present methods of coupling a wounddressing to a patient comprise breaching the drape, after couplingsection pad to the drape fluid communication between the wound dressing(e.g., the space between the wound surface and the drape).

In some embodiments, breaching the drape comprises delivering (e.g.,from a fluid source, such as a fluid pump or syringe, through a conduitcoupled to the connection pad) through the connection pad a solvent tothe drape, where the solvent is configured to dissolve a portion of thedrape (e.g., dissolves a portion of the drape sufficient to create ahole 48 b) to permit fluid communication between the space and theconnection pad (e.g. between a fluid source coupled to the connectionpad and the space between the drape and the wound surface. For example,currently available drapes often comprise polyurethane, which isgenerally dissolvable in or with solvents that comprise ketones. Assuch, suitable solvents may comprise ketones (e.g., propanone) and/orother solvents or components that are soluble in water (or otherembodiments, insoluble in water). In such embodiments, to prevent thesolvent from dissolving the fluid delivery conduit (e.g., 54) end of theconnection pad, they conduit and the connection pad can comprise amaterial that is not soluble in the presence of the solvent used. Forexample, in the embodiments in which the solvent comprises a ketone, thefluid delivery conduit and the connection pad can comprise suitablyinsoluble polymers (e.g. and soluble in the presence of the solventused), such as, for example, thermoplastic elastomers. By way of anotherexample, the fluid delivery conduit may have a liner co-extruded orco-molded into the interior of the conduit, such that the liner isinsoluble in the presence of the solvent used and thereby protects theconduit. Similarly, wound insert 24 should comprise a material that isat least substantially insoluble in the presence of the solvent, suchthat introduction of the solvent to the drape and breaching of the drapeby the solvent does not substantially degrade the foam of wound insert24.

Alternatively, the drape can comprise a polymer or other materialsoluble in a less-aggressive solvent, such that commonly availableconnection pads and conduits may be used. For example drape can comprisea vinyl acetate copolymer configured to be soluble in various alcohols,such as, for example, ethanol and the like. By way of another example,the drape can comprise a polymer with free acid groups attached (e.g.,acrylics and the like) configured to be soluble in water with high pHlevels, such that, for example, the solvent can comprise watercomprising salts (e.g., carbonates), amines (e.g., urea, orethanolamine), and or the like such that the water is configured to havea high pH level (e.g., equal to, greater than, less than, or between anyof, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, connection pad 22 comprisesa dressing side with the cavity, as is described above for the variousembodiments of the present connection pads. Some embodiments of thepresent methods comprise disposing a container (e.g., such as a balloon,envelope, or the like) of a first solvent between the connection pad andthe drape (e.g. within a cavity of the connection pad), where the firstsolvent is configured to dissolve a portion of the drape, and where thecontainer is configured to dissolve in the presence of a second solvent.In such embodiments of the present methods, breaching the drape cancomprise delivering the second solvent to the container (e.g. throughthe connection pad and/or from a fluid source such as fluid source 50)such that the container dissolves to release the first solvent and thefirst solvent dissolves a portion of the drape (e.g., dissolves aportion of the drape sufficient to create a hole 48 b).

Some embodiments of the present methods further comprise: delivering afluid to the wound dressing through the connection pad, and/or applyinga vacuum to the wound dressing (e.g., after delivering a fluid to thewound dressing, such as through the connection pad through which fluidis delivered and/or another connection pad), to flush away debris fromhole 48 b (e.g., dissolve drape material) and/or to flush away remainingsolvent such that dissolution of the drape is halted or stopped after apredetermined amount of time or after hole 48 b reaches a desired orpredetermined sized. For example, such a fluid can comprise an inertfluid, such as, for example, water, saline solution, and/or the like.

Embodiments of the present methods in which the drape is breached aftera connection pad is coupled to the drape are configured to preventand/or produce user error and difficulty associated with requiring auser to create a hole in the drape. For example, breaching the drape inthe ways described in the present methods automatically creates the holein the drape and position corresponding with the appropriate lumens ofthe connection pad (e.g. corresponding to a cavity of the connectionpad), and thereby can improve performance, reliability, and repeatedlyof the various wound-treatment methods including the present wounddressings and connection pads.

Embodiments of the present drapes, connection pads, and the like areconfigured to have the features described in this disclosure (e.g., forthe present methods).

The various illustrative embodiments of devices, systems, and methodsdescribed herein are not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternativesfalling within the scope of the claims.

The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted toinclude, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such alimitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s)“means for” or “step for,” respectively. It will be understood that thebenefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment ormay relate to several embodiments. It will further be understood thatreference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items, unlessotherwise specified.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate.

Where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may becombined with aspects of any of the other examples described to formfurther examples having comparable or different properties andaddressing the same or different problems.

It will be understood that the above description of preferredembodiments is given by way of example only and that variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The abovespecification, examples and data provide a complete description of thestructure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodimentshave been described above with a certain degree of particularity, orwith reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled inthe art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing from the scope of this invention.

1.-25. (canceled)
 26. A vacuum connection pad comprising: a body havinga dressing side and a connection side, the dressing side including acavity having an upper portion and a base portion, and a flangesurrounding the base portion of the cavity, and the connection sideincluding: a single-lumen vacuum connection configured to be coupled toa vacuum source and having a vacuum lumen in communication with thecavity, a pressure-sensor connection configured to be coupled to apressure sensor, and having a first pressure-sensor lumen extending intothe cavity, a lateral portion of the first pressure-sensor lumen open tothe cavity.
 27. The vacuum connection pad of claim 26, wherein the bodydefines at least one second pressure-sensor lumen extending into thecavity and in fluid communication with the first pressure-sensor lumen,a lateral portion of the second pressure-sensor lumen open to thecavity.
 28. The vacuum connection pad of claim 27, wherein the body hasa multi-lumen connection including the vacuum connection and thepressure-sensor connection, and wherein the pressure-sensor connectioncomprises an annular pressure-sensor lumen disposed around the vacuumlumen, the annular pressure-sensor lumen in communication with the firstand second pressure-sensor lumens. 29.-51. (canceled)
 52. Afluid-delivery connection pad comprising: a body having a dressing sideand a connection side, the dressing side including a cavity having anupper portion and a base portion, a flange surrounding the base portionof the cavity, and a fluid-delivery ring disposed around at least aportion of the cavity and configured to permit fluid to be deliveredaround the cavity, and the connection side including: a single-lumenfluid-delivery connection configured to be coupled to a fluid source andhaving a fluid-delivery lumen in communication with the fluid-deliveryring, a pressure-sensor connection configured to be coupled to a vacuumsource and a pressure sensor, and having a first pressure-sensor lumenextending into the cavity, a lateral portion of the firstpressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity.
 53. The fluid-deliveryconnection pad of claim 52, wherein the body defines at least one secondpressure-sensor lumen having a lower end extending into the cavity andin fluid communication with the first pressure-sensor lumen, a lateralportion of the second pressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity.
 54. Thefluid-delivery connection pad of claim 53, wherein the body has amulti-lumen connection including the fluid-delivery connection and thepressure-sensor connection, and wherein the pressure-sensor connectioncomprises an annular pressure-sensor lumen disposed around thefluid-delivery lumen, the annular pressure-sensor lumen in communicationwith the first and second pressure-sensor lumens.
 55. A fluid-deliveryconnection pad comprising: a body having a dressing side and aconnection side, the dressing side including a surface defining a cavityhaving an upper portion and a base portion, and a flange surrounding thebase portion of the cavity, the connection side including: afluid-delivery connection having a fluid-delivery lumen in fluidcommunication with an upper portion of the cavity and configured to becoupled to a fluid source, and a first pressure-sensor lumen extendinginto the cavity and configured to be coupled to a pressure sensor, alateral portion of the first pressure-sensor lumen open to the cavity;wherein the surface defining the cavity includes an open channel at theupper portion of the cavity, the open channel coupled to thefluid-delivery lumen.
 56. The fluid-delivery connection pad of claim 55,wherein the body defines at least one second pressure-sensor lumenextending into the cavity and in fluid communication with the firstpressure-sensor lumen, a lateral portion of the second pressure-sensorlumen open to the cavity.
 57. The fluid-delivery connection pad of claim56, wherein the body has a multi-lumen connection including thefluid-delivery connection and a pressure-sensor connection, and whereinthe pressure-sensor connection comprises an annular pressure-sensorlumen disposed around the fluid-delivery lumen, the annularpressure-sensor lumen in communication with the first and secondpressure-sensor lumens.
 58. The pad of claim 56, wherein a first portionof the surface on a first side of the open channel includes a pluralityof plurality of grooves extending from the open channel to the baseportion of the cavity.
 59. The pad of claim 58, wherein a second portionof the surface on a second side of the open channel defines a shelfsubstantially parallel to the flange adjacent the base portion of thecavity.
 60. The pad of claim 56, wherein the pressure-sensor lumens arenot in fluid communication with the fluid-delivery lumen through thebody.
 61. The pad of claim 59, wherein the body defines a lower end ofeach of the first and second pressure-sensor lumens substantially evenwith the shelf, and where the body further defines one or more notchesat the lower end of each of the first and second pressure-sensor lumensextending between a lateral portion of the pressure-sensor lumen and thecavity.
 62. The pad of claim 61, where the first and secondpressure-sensor lumens extend into the cavity at an angle substantiallyperpendicular to the open channel.
 63. The pad of claim 62, furthercomprising: a ring of adhesive coupled to the flange.
 64. The pad ofclaim 63, wherein the adhesive comprises a hydrogel.
 65. The pad ofclaim 63, wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.66. The pad of claim 63, wherein the flange comprises a lower sideconfigured to face a wound dressing if the pad is coupled to a wounddressing, and wherein the adhesive is coupled to the lower side of theflange.
 67. The pad of claim 62, wherein the flange is configured to becoupled to a drape by at least one of: radio-frequency (RF) welding,ultrasonic welding, or adhesive.
 68. The pad of claim 67, where theflange is coupled to a drape of a wound dressing. 69.-73. (canceled)